That’s why each year the National Weather Service stresses the importance of having its trained weather spotters to aid them in severe weather events. National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chad Omitt will be in Manhattan next week leading a storm spotter training event for Riley County.

Chad 1 A

Omitt says they also discuss the difference between watches and warnings, awareness , behavior, and storm structure.

Chad 1 B

While forecasters work with the radars and different models to track storms as they happen, Omitt says they rely heavily on the boots on the ground, the trained spotters.

Chad 3

The Riley County session is happening at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Wareham Opera House at 410 Poyntz Ave. The talk schedule for the surrounding areas are on the Topeka national weather service website. www.weather.gov/top.